Curbside recycling moves to weekly schedule

Olney City Council approved changing to weekly pickup service for its recycling program during its regular meeting on Monday.

It was not said at the meeting when the weekly pickup would begin, but City Manager Larry Taylor said afterward that it will hopefully be soon.

The council has been discussion potential changes to the program recently.

City Treasurer Chuck Sanders, gave an update on some additional research he did regarding possibly replacing the current bins used with some that have lids and also possibly using plastic bags to put in the current bins in an effort to keep recyclables from blowing from the current lidless bins.

Councilman Gary Foster said he liked the idea of using bags. Of the three recycling options presented, he said he also preferred having weekly pickup using two alternating crews of two part-time employees. Although the option presented by Sanders called for a slightly reduced break-even rate of $3.25, Foster's motion called for keeping the rate at $3.50.

Of the other two options, one was for bi-weekly pickup with one crew of two part-time employees with a break-even rate of $1.75, and weekly pickup with one crew of one full-time employee and two alternating part-time employees with a break-even rate of $6.35. The rates were based on an estimated participation rate of 905 customers.

Sanders also noted that currently, the truck and trailer being used require the driver to have a CDL license. With the plan to replace the three-quater ton truck with a half-ton and a smaller trailer, this requirement would be eliminated.

Audience member Brandy McKinney said many people would like to see weekly pickup. She also thought a mandatory program would be a good option.

Audience member Kate Patterson said there have been a lot of struggles in the program because the city had done it halfway. She also suggested making the service mandatory and part of the garbage bill, which she said would also support Secure Processors.

McKinney said fewer residences would be missed on pickup day if it were mandatory and everyone was getting recyclables picked up.

Foster said for many people in town, the extra money to pay for mandatory service would be a problem.

Patterson said garbage hauling rates have been holding steady for a long time, however.

Councilwoman Barb Thomas said she did not think people should be forced to take part in the program.

The council approved the weekly pickup option that Foster suggested, with the $3.50 monthly rate.

Taylor said after the meeting the changes will likely mean hiring two additional part-time employees for when the hours run out on the current part-time employees in the program and two others need to be rotated in.